Golfing practice device

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the present invention a device for piercing and raising carpet to create sloped practice putting surfaces is described. Each device comprises a handle for manually rotating the device and a helical wire form designed to pierce a carpet and lift the carpet upwardly to create a slope that a user practices putting upon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to golfing and putting practicedevices.

BACKGROUND

The game of golf is a pastime that many persons spend a great deal oftime practicing to obtain and maintain proficiency. One aspect of thegame is putting. Although putting practice facilities are available atgolf courses, because the putting swing has a low-range of motion andweather conditions are not always permitting, many persons practiceputting in the confines of their home, office, or hotel room.

Many golf course greens slope, or “break.” One problem with in-homeputting practice is the lack of putting practice surfaces that slope. Inorder to provide as accurate a simulation of putting greens as possiblefor in-home putting practice, numerous putting practice devices, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,892,412 (the '412 patent) and U.S. Pat. No.6,413,166, simulate the sloping and rolling nature of golf greens.Although accurately depicting the surfaces of putting greens, many ofthese practice devices have deficiencies stemming from two inherentattributes: (i) a putting surface and (ii) a system which creates theslopes and angles in the putting surface.

These attributes create problems in prior art, such as taught in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,655,971 and 6,746,338, producing devices which arecumbersome to move and store. Providing golfers with a simulated puttingsurface requires space to store the device, ability to move the devicebetween storage and use, and time to set up the practice putting device.For persons traveling, with limited storage space, or with limited time,owning and setting up a putting practice device which provides theangles and slopes of a putting surface may not be feasible.

Current putting practice devices are also difficult to maintain andservice. Many current devices, such as the '412 patent and U.S. Pat. No.5,855,522, contain moving mechanical parts such as air bladders andsprings to create the angles in the putting surface. These mechanicalparts are located under the putting surface. When these devices becomeinoperable, they are difficult to repair and replace due to theirlocation.

Current putting devices are also expensive to purchase. Because thedevices contain multiple parts, their cost of manufacture is high, andthis cost is passed along to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a device for raising carpet tocreate sloped putting surfaces according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 a is a side view of a device for raising carpet to create slopedputting surfaces illustrating the manner in which the carpet is piercedby the device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 b is a side view of a device for raising carpet to create slopedputting surfaces illustrating the manner in which the carpet is raisedto create the desired sloping angle, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric front view of a device for raising carpet tocreate sloped putting surfaces with an integrally formed handle and wireform, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a device for raising carpet to create slopedputting surfaces where an acute angle is created by the wire form,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the current invention comprises a handle attached to awire form adapted to pierce and raise carpet to create a sloped surfacefor putting practice. Sloped surfaces can be created on surfaces suchas, but not limited to, tacked carpets, untacked carpets, and large arearugs. The wire form is comprised of a single wire extending from thehandle and ending in a sharp tip. In variations, the handle and the wireform are integrally formed. In other variations, the wire form can be adual strand wire form to increase stability and strength. Typically, thewire form extends away from the handle in a helix, spiraling in either aclockwise or counter-clockwise direction, then becoming generallystraight along a path generally parallel to the helix's longitudinalaxis, and finally ending in a short spiral. The direction of the shortspiral is opposite the direction of the helix. For example, if the helixextends away from the handle in a clockwise direction, the spiral wouldbe a counter-clockwise spiral. In variations, the wire form creates anacute angle, such as a hook, to the generally straight section insteadof comprising of a short spiraled section. The acute angle and/orspiraled section are necessary when raising the carpet in order toprevent the sharp tip from piercing material or scratching a floorunderlying the carpet, such as, but not limited to an underlyinghardwood floor. Additionally, the acute angle and spiraled sectionprovide vertical stability to the device, creating a larger frictionalsurface area with the underlying floor or material than a single sharptip would provide. Other variations of the device include a sheathcovering the wire form. The sheath acts as a protective device duringnon-use, protecting the wire form from damage and providing protectionfrom the wire form's sharp tip.

One method of using the embodiment to raise a carpet and create a slopedputting surface comprises piercing the carpet and rotating the device.The carpet is pierced by placing the sharp tip on the surface of thecarpet and pressing the sharp tip into the carpet by rotating the devicein the direction of the sharp-tipped spiraled section of the wire form.For example, for a wire form comprising a clockwise helix and acounter-clockwise spiral, the device is rotated in a counter-clockwisemanner to pierce the carpet. Once the tip has pierced the carpet, thedevice is rotated in the same direction until the carpet is placed atthe beginning of the helix. In variations, the counter-clockwiserotation is not needed to pierce and place the carpet at the clockwisehelix. In devices where the wire form creates an acute angle with thehelical longitudinal axis instead of comprising of a spiraled tip, theentire device is placed at an angle to the carpet, with the sharp tipplaced on the carpet. The sharp tip pierces the carpet by a user holdingthe handle and pressing downwardly while pivoting the device around thehandle, hooking the carpet onto the sharp tip. In both carpet piercingvariations, upon reaching the beginning of the helix, the device isrotated in the direction necessary to move the carpet up the helix andtowards the handle. For example, a device containing a helix extendingaway from the handle in a clockwise direction would need to be rotatedclockwise in order to raise the carpet. Upon reaching the desiredsloping angle, the user stops rotating the device. The device is thenchecked for stability, taking care that the device is generally verticaland will not tip when a golf ball travels across the sloped area. Oncesecure, a golf ball is putted across the sloped surface. In variations,the golf ball is putted towards a ball-catching device or putted acrossmultiple sloped surfaces. Additional sloped surfaces are created usingthe same method used to create a single sloped putting surface describedabove. In variations, additional devices are used to change the slopingangle in the original sloped putting surface.

In one embodiment, the device can resemble a golf object. The handle isan object such as a golf ball, a club head, or a pin flag, and is sizedto fit the grip of an average adult. The sheath can be a correspondingobject such as a golf tee, club shaft, or flag pole. In othervariations, the device can resemble any object, such as, but not limitedto a football helmet, a flower, and/or an automobile.

Terminology

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims isnot meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive meaning “eitheror both”.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “apreferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment” and similar phrasesmean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all meant torefer to the same embodiment.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and theappended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connectionbetween the identified elements, components or objects. Often the mannerof the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which thetwo coupled elements interact.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left,right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front andlateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specificorientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordinglyto aid in the description of the various embodiments and are notnecessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

The term “wire form” as used in this specification and the appendingclaims is meant to convey a wire-like device, but is not meant to onlyrefer to a metallic device formed from wire stock.

The term “composite” as used in this specification and appending claimsrefers to a complex material in which two or more distinct andstructurally complementary substances such as, but not limited to,metals, ceramics, glasses, and polymers, are combined.

First Embodiment of a Device for Lifting Carpet

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a device 10 for raising carpet tocreate a sloped putting surface is illustrated. The device is comprisedof a handle 14, a wire form 24, and a sheath 12. The handle 14 canresemble any object, such as, but not limited to, a golf ball beinggenerally spherical and including generally circular concave divots 20.The handle 14 is sized to allow the device 10 to be manually rotatedinto a carpet. The wire form insertion point 18 location on the handle14 can be dependent upon the handle 14 shape. The handle 14 size canalso vary according to the location of the wire form insertion point 18.For example, a generally long and thin handle 14 may have a wire forminsertion point 18 located generally perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the handle 14 near one end of the handle 14 for easier torquecreation at the sharp point 32 of the wire form 24 when rotating thehandle 14. The wire form 24 is coupled to the handle 14 with anysuitable material in any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, aweld or a high-strength adhesive material. Alternatively, the wire form24 is coupled to the handle 14 through a detachable system such as, butnot limited to, latching to the handle 14 or screwing into the handle14. A detachable handle 14 system creates the possibility of usingmultiple handles 14 with one wire form 24, or vice versa. Different wireforms 24 can be used on different carpets, depending on the materialunderlying the carpet.

The wire form 24 extends away from the handle 14 in a generally helicalfirst portion 22 and ends in a second portion 26 containing a shortspiraled section 28. The helix 22 can spiral away from the handle 14 ina generally clockwise direction. Alternatively, the helix 22 can extendoutwardly from the handle 14 in a generally counter-clockwise direction.For a carpet to fit between the helical loops 16, each helical loop 16must be spaced at an appropriate distance from adjacent helical loops 16and the wire form 24 must be of a correspondingly appropriate thicknessto the circumference of the generally cylindrical helix 22. The secondportion 26 of the wire form 24 can contain a short section 30 generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the helix 22. The second portion 26ends with a short spiraled section 28 containing a sharp tip 32 designedto pierce carpet. The spiraled section 28 spirals in a directionopposite the direction the helix 22 extends away from the handle 14.

The device 10 can be constructed of any suitable material in anysuitable manner. The handle 14, wire form 24, and sheath 12 can becomprised of different material types. In some variations, the handle 14can be comprised of a composite wood product, the wire form 24 can becomprised of a metallic material, and the sheath 12 can be comprised ofa composite material, such as a polymeric base including a loading offiberglass. In an additional variation, the wire form is comprised of acomposite material such as, but not necessarily, Kevlar™.

One Method of Lifting Carpet to Create Sloped Putting Surfaces

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a method to create a sloped puttingsurface 110 is illustrated. To begin, a user places the sharp tip 32onto the top 100 of the carpet and exerts pressure onto the sharp tip 32by rotating the device 10 in a direction that increases pressure on thesharp tip 32 in order to pierce the top of the carpet 100 and the bottomof the carpet 115. The rotational direction needed to pierce the carpetis opposite the direction the helix 22 spirals out of the handle 14. Forexample, the piercing rotational direction would be a counter-clockwisedirection for a helix 22 extending away from the handle 14 in aclockwise fashion because the second section 26 would have acounter-clockwise spiraled portion 28. In variations, where the secondportion 26 resembles a hook or an upward acute angle, thecounter-clockwise rotation is not needed to pierce the carpet and placethe carpet at the beginning of the clockwise helix 22. In these devices,the entire device is placed at an angle to the top of the carpet 100,with the sharp tip placed on the top of the carpet 100. The sharp tipthen pierces the top of the carpet 100 by holding the handle andpressing downwardly while pivoting the device around the handle topierce the bottom of the carpet 115 with the sharp tip. Using eithermethod, once the sharp tip 32 pierces the bottom 115 of the carpet andcomes into contact with the underlying floor 105 or material, the usergradually places the device 10 in a generally vertical position whilecontinuing to rotate the device 10 in the same piercing rotationaldirection.

Once the carpet reaches the beginning or distal end 34 of the helicalspiral portion 22, the user rotates the device 10 in the directionopposite the direction the user was rotating the device up to that pointif the user is using a device 10 with a short spiraled section.Accordingly, the carpet travels along the helix 22 towards the handle14. Because the device 10 is in a vertical position, by travelingtowards the handle 14, the carpet is raised off the floor 105 andcreates a sloped putting surface 110.

Upon reaching the desired carpet height to create the sloping puttingsurface 110, the device 10 is checked for stability. Once stable, theuser retrieves a golf ball and golfing putter and putts a golf ballacross the sloped putting surface 110. In variations, instead of puttinga golf ball across the sloped putting surface 110, the user will insteadrepeat the method to create additional sloped putting surfacespotentially forming a complex multi-slopped putting surface moreaccurately representative of actual putting greens. Upon placing one ormore carpet break devices 10 into the carpet, the user practices puttinga golf ball across the sloped putting surfaces 110. In variations, auser putts a golf ball towards a golf catching device, such as, but notlimited to, a machine designed to catch and return golf balls, or adrinking receptacle such as, but not limited to, a Dixie™ cup.

Second Embodiment of a Device for Lifting Carpet to Create SlopedPutting Surfaces

Generally, referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a device 36 for raisingcarpet to create a sloped putting surface is similar to the device 10described above. Several differences can, but do not necessarily include(i) a handle 38 that is not a golfing object and (ii) anintegrally-formed handle 38 and wire form 24. In all other aspects, theintegrally formed device 36 for lifting carpet is typically the same asthe first device 10 for lifting carpet: (a) a handle 38 and (b) a wireform 24 comprising: (i) one helical portion 22 and (ii) a second portion26, a section of which is comprised of a spiral 28. In variations,depending on the size of the handle 38, adjustments to the thickness ofthe wire form 24, the circumference of the helix 22, and the spacingbetween the helical loops 16 can be made. These variations can create ashorter device 36, possibly being easier to carry in a small hand-bag orjacket pocket. Additionally, variations to the second portion 26 of thewire form 24 are possible, for example, the second section can compriseof a hook or angled second portion instead of a spiraled portion 28.

The greatest structural difference between the first embodiment and thesecond embodiment is the integrated handle 38 and wire form 24. Theintegrated handle 38 allows the device 36 to be manufactured from asingle material, eliminating separate components on the device. Thisvariation of the device can lead to potentially lower manufacturingcosts, thereby leading to lower costs to the consumer than the two piecedevice 10, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the integrated handle 38and wire form 24 can be structurally stronger than the two piece device10, depending on the material used to create the integrated device 36.

Third Embodiment of a Device for Lifting Carpet to Create Sloped PuttingSurfaces

Generally, referring to FIG. 4, the third embodiment of a device 42 forraising carpet to create a sloped putting surface is similar to thedevice 10 described above in FIG. 1. One difference between the thirdembodiment 42 from the first embodiment 10 described above is that onthe third embodiment 42, the second portion 26 of the wire form 24 isnot spiraled, but instead the second portion 26 generally creates anupwardly-extending acute angle, or a hook, relative to the helix's 22longitudinal axis. Typically, this acute angle is created through thesecond portion 26 resembling a hook. In variations, the second portion26 hook does not contain a section 50 generally perpendicular to thesecond portion section 30 generally parallel to the helical longitudinalaxis. In this variation, the second section 26 acute angle is createdbetween a proximal second portion section 30 generally paralleling thehelical longitudinal axis and a distal second portion section extendingdirectly away from the section generally paralleling the helicallongitudinal axis in an upward acute angle, towards the handle 14.

The hook section 46 of the second portion 26, or the acute anglevariation described above may be more suitable for persons with thickcarpet laid on top of a foam pad. Because of the pliable, yet sturdynature of such a carpet, a large piercing force may need to be exertedonto the sharp tip 32. The hook-shaped devices 42 can provide thisforce. Additionally, hook-shaped devices 42 provide users an alternativedevice to avoid piercing underlying carpet pads. Because the method usedto pierce a carpet with a hook-shaped device 42 is different than themethod used to pierce a carpet with a spiral-tipped device 10, someusers can find the hook-shaped device 42 easier to pierce carpet with.Using this device 42 with an integrated handle described in the secondembodiment above can provide additional strength for highly tensilecarpets.

In all other aspects, the hook shaped device 42 for lifting carpet istypically the same as the first device 10 for lifting carpet: (a) ahandle 14 and (b) a wire form 24 comprising: (i) one helical portion 22and (ii) a second portion 26 containing a straight section 30 and asharp point 32.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

The various preferred embodiments and variations thereof illustrated inthe accompanying figures and/or described above are merely exemplary andare not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to beappreciated that numerous variations to the invention have beencontemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the artwith the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the inventionthat read upon the appended claims are intended and contemplated to bewithin the scope of the invention.

The specific configurations of the device can vary substantially. Forexample, the device may also be comprised of a motor to provide the userrelief from employing manual power to raise a carpet. In such avariation, the motor can be battery powered or the motor may receivepower through a wall outlet. In other variations and embodiments, thedevice may be comprised of a pulley system, piercing the carpet andbeing raised through the cable-pulley system. Such a variation can be amotorized or a manual system. Furthermore, the dimensions of any devicedescribed are not limited in any manner whatsoever, so that such devicescan be used to create indoor “putt-putt golf” courses, should a user sodesire. In additional variations, the handle of the device can also actas the sheath upon either detaching from the wire form or if the wireform folds or otherwise fits into the handle.

1) A device for lifting up a portion of carpet, the device comprising: ahandle; and a wire form comprising integrated first and second portions,the first portion being coupled to the handle at a first portionproximal end and integrated with the second portion at a first portiondistal end, the first portion including a helix spiraling from the firstportion proximal end to the first portion distal end in a firstrotational direction, and the second portion extending from the firstportion distal end to a second portion distal end and being at leastpartially spiraled in a second rotational direction, the second portiondistal end terminating in a sharp point and the second rotationaldirection being opposite the first rotational direction. 2) The deviceof claim 1, wherein (i) the first portion helix is sized to pull aportion of the carpet upwardly when the device is rotated in the firstdirection, and (ii) the second portion being adapted to pierce a carpetwhen rotated in the second rotational direction. 3) The device of claim1, wherein the handle is integrally formed with the wire form. 4) Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the handle is a facsimile of an objectrelated to the game of golf. 5) The device of claim 4, wherein thefacsimile represents a golf ball. 6) The device of claim 1, wherein thewire form comprises a composite material. 7) The device of claim 1,wherein a section of the second portion proximate the first portiondistal end is straight. 8) The device of claim 1, wherein a section ofthe second portion distal end is generally hook shaped. 9) The device ofclaim 1, further including a sheath covering the wire form. 10) Thedevice of claim 5, further including a sheath covering the wire form,wherein the sheath substantially resembles a golf tee. 11) A device forlifting up a portion of a carpet, the device comprising a handle; and awire form comprising integrally formed first and second portions, thefirst portion being coupled to the handle at a first portion proximalend and integrated with the second portion at a first portion distalend, the first portion including a helix spiraling from the firstportion proximal end to the first portion distal end along alongitudinal axis, and the second portion extending from the firstportion distal end to a second portion distal end, the second portionextending outwardly and upwardly relative to the longitudinal axis, thesecond portion distal end having a sharp point. 12) The device of claim11, wherein (i) the helix being sized to pull a portion of carpetupwardly when the device is rotated, and (ii) the second portion beingadapted to pierce a carpet. 13) The device of claim 11, wherein thesecond portion substantially comprises a hook. 14) The device of claim11, wherein the second portion generally forms an acute angle relativeto the longitudinal axis. 15) A method of practicing putting on a floorhaving a carpet, the method comprising: lifting one or more sections ofthe carpet off of the underlying floor ½″-6″, creating one or moresloped surfaces; putting a golf ball across the sloped surfaces. 16) Themethod of claim 15, wherein said lifting comprises: piercing the carpetwith a helically-shaped wire form; and rotating the wire form in a firstdirection. 17) The method of claim 15, wherein said lifting comprises:piercing the carpet with a wire form having a first helically-shapedportion spiraled in a first direction and a second portion at leastpartially spiraled in a second direction; raising the carpet by rotatingthe device in the second direction; and rotating the device in the firstdirection. 18) The method of claim 15, wherein: the carpet includes aperimeter; and the perimeter is coupled to the floor. 19) The method ofclaim 15, wherein said lifting comprises: piercing the carpet with awire form having a first helically-shaped portion and a second portiongenerally forming an acute angle with the longitudinal axis; raising thecarpet by hooking the carpet onto the acute angle; and rotating thedevice. 20) The method of claim 16, further including: removing the wireform from the carpet by rotating the wire form in a second direction.